What is claimed is:
1. An interactive remote diagnostics, monitoring and prescriptive programming system implemented in a bi-directional communications link wherein a remote web-based expert data center and one of a telemetry module, interactive remote monitor (IRM), an extender, a patient activator and a programmer operating as a web-compatible interface medical device for an IMD are remotely linked to implement remote chronic monitoring, patient alert activation and programming in the IMD, the system comprising:
the remote web-based expert data center including high speed computer resources;
a bi-directional communication system being in operable data communications with the resources at the remote web-based expert data center;
the interface medical device coupled to the expert data center via the bi-directional communications link, wherein the expert data center chronically monitors, installs new software and alerts the patient; and
a plurality of specialized software modules to collect, manage, perform high-yield chronic evaluation and analysis for real-time delivery of remote therapy and clinical care.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein said plurality of software modules reside in the remote web-based expert data center.
3. The system of claim 1, wherein the IMD is in data communications with the interface medical device and the interface medical device acquires patient data from the IMD.
4. The system of claim 1, wherein the bi-directional link is a telephone line.
5. The system of claim 1, wherein the bi-directional communications link is an intranet.
6. The system of claim 1, wherein the bi-directional communications link is an internet.
7. The system of claim 1, wherein the bi-directional communications link is a satellite.
8. The system of claim 1, wherein the bi-directional communications link is a global positioning system.
9. The system of claim 1, wherein the bi-directional communications link includes at least one communication link selected from the group of communication links consisting of a telephone line, an intranet, an internet, a satellite, a laser waveform, and a global positioning system.
10. The system of claim 1, wherein one of said plurality of software modules resides in the interface medical device.
11. The system of claim 1, wherein the web-based remote expert data center further comprises:
an analyzer;
a virtual electrophysiologist module;
a chronic monitor module; and
a prescriptive programmer module;
said virtual electrophysiologist module, said chronic module and said prescriptive programmer module being in a bi-directional data communications with said analyzer
12. The system of claim 11, wherein the remote data center further comprises:
a direct communications link between the IMD and one of said modules via the programmer.
13. A method of providing programming information at least one implantable medical device located within a patient, the method comprising:
initiating an interface between the at least one implantable medical device and a data center positioned at a distal location relative to the implantable medical device;
transmitting device information regarding the at least one implantable medical device and patient information regarding the patient from the implantable medical device to the data center;
determining an optimum therapeutic setting for the at least one implantable medical device based upon the device information and the patient information; and
remotely installing software from the data center in the at least one implantable medical device to provide the optimum therapeutic setting.
14. The method of claim 13, further comprising the steps of:
automatically transmitting device identification information identifying the at least one implantable medical device from the implantable medical to the data center; and
authenticating a user prior to transmitting device information and patient information.
15. The method of claim 13, and further comprising steps of:
performing a sequence of tests based upon the device information and the patient information; and
performing a diagnostic routine based upon the device information and the patient information.
16. The method of claim 13, and further comprising the step of:
suggesting an optimum therapeutic device setting to a component in the at least one implantable medical device.
17. The method of claim 13, further comprising the step of:
verifying that the optimum therapeutic setting is implemented in the at least one implantable device for a real-time basis.
18. The method of claim 13, and further comprising steps of:
distributing a report including the optimum therapeutic setting to a designated location; and
storing patient session information in the data center.
19. The method of claim 13, and further comprising:
implementing a software program which determines the optimum therapeutic setting of the at least one implantable medical device based upon the device information and patient information.
20. The method of claim 13, and further comprising the step of:
transmitting a programming sequence to the at least one implantable medical device via a telemetry device and an RF head, the programming sequence providing the optimum therapeutic setting.
21. A method or providing programming information to at least one implantable medical device located within a patient, the method comprising:
Initiating an interface between the implantable medical device and an expert data center comprising a VEM, CMM and PPM modules positioned in a data center at a distal location relative to the implantable medical device;
transmitting device information regarding the at least one implantable medical device from the implantable medical device to the data center;
transmitting patient information from the implantable medical device to the data center;
analyzing the device information and the patient information;
performing a diagnostic routine utilizing the device information and patient information;
22. The method of claim 21, further comprising the steps of:
automatically transmitting device identification information identifying the implantable medical device from the at least one implantable medical device to the data center; and
authenticating a user prior to transmitting device information and patient information.
23. The method of claim 21, further comprising the steps of:
performing a sequence of tests based upon the device information and the patient information; and
performing a diagnostic routine based upon the device information and the patient information.
24. The method of claim 21, further comprising the step of:
suggesting an optimum therapeutic device setting to implement a VEM software application.
25. The method of claim 21, further comprising the step of:
verifying that the at least one implantable medical device includes the optimum therapeutic setting.
26. The method of claim 21, further comprising the steps of:
distributing a report including the optimum therapeutic setting to a designated location; and
storing patient session information in the data center.
27. The method of claim 21, further comprising:
implementing a software program which determines the optimum therapeutic setting of the implantable medical device based upon the device information and patient information.
28. The method of claim 21, further comprising the step of:
transmitting a programming sequence to the implantable medical device via a telemetry device and an RF head, the programming sequence providing the optimum therapeutic setting.
29. A system for providing a plurality of maintenance, therapeutic and upgrade programming information to at least one implantable medical device located within a patient, the system comprising:
a telemetry module in data communications with the implantable medical device and patient information regarding the patient;
a data center positioned at a distal location relative to the telemetry module and the data center.
30. A system for remotely transferring VEM, CMM and PPM software to at least one implantable medical device located within a patient, the system comprising:
means for initiating an interface between the implantable medical device and a data center, in which said VEM, CMM and PPM programs are implemented in a web-enabled high speed computer system, positioned at a distal location relative to the at least one implantable medical device;
means for transmitting device information regarding the implantable medical device and patient information regarding the patient from the implantable medical device to the data center;
means for determining an optimum therapeutic setting for the implantable medical device based upon the device information and the patient information; and
means for remotely installing the VEM, CMM and PPM from the data center in the implantable medical device to provide the optimum therapeutic setting.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.
1. An interface member for a bicycle brake having a brake arm and another brake arm, wherein the brake arm pivots around a pivot axis, wherein the another brake arm pivots around another pivot axis, wherein the brake arm has an upper portion above the pivot axis and a lower portion below the pivot axis, wherein the another brake arm has an upper portion above the another pivot axis and a lower portion below the another pivot axis, wherein the interface member comprises:
a mounting portion structured to be mounted in close proximity to the pivot axis;
a first operating portion that extends from the mounting portion for interfacing with the brake arm; and
a second operating portion that extends from the mounting portion and is structured to extend towards the another brake arm;
wherein the first operating portion extends downwardly from the mounting portion, and wherein the second operating portion extends above the first operating portion;
wherein the second operating portion is axially thick; and
wherein the second operating portion is axially thicker than the first operating portion.
2. The interface member according to claim 1 wherein the second operating portion is axially thicker than the mounting portion.
3. The interface member according to claim 1 wherein the second operating portion has a shape of an axially-thick paddle.
4. The interface member according to claim 1 wherein the mounting portion includes a mounting opening dimensioned to receive a brake arm pivot shaft therethrough.
5. The interface member according to claim 4 wherein the second operating portion has a shape of an axially-thick paddle.
6. The interface member according to claim 5 wherein the first operating portion has a shape of an axially-thin rod-shaped member.
7. The interface member according to claim 1 wherein the mounting portion, the first operating portion and the second operating portion are formed as a continuous one-piece member.
8. The interface member according to claim 3 wherein the paddle forms an axially-flattened and axially-broad panel.
9. A bicycle brake apparatus comprising:
a brake arm including:
a brake arm mounting portion for mounting the brake arm to a bicycle frame member to pivot around a pivot axis;
a brake pad mounting portion below the pivot axis; and
a control interface portion above the pivot axis;
another brake arm including:
a brake arm mounting portion for mounting the another brake arm to the bicycle frame member to pivot around another pivot axis;
a brake pad mounting portion below the pivot axis; and
a control interface portion above the pivot axis; and
an interface member comprising:
a mounting portion;
a first operating portion that interfaces with the brake arm when the brake arm and the another brake arm are mounted to the bicycle frame member; and
a second operating portion that extends towards the another brake arm when the brake arm and the another brake arm are mounted to the bicycle frame member;
wherein the first operating portion extends downwardly from the mounting portion, and wherein the second operating portion extends above the first operating portion;
wherein the second operating portion is axially thick; and
wherein the second operating portion is axially thicker than the first operating portion.
10. The interface member according to claim 9 wherein the second operating portion is axially thicker than the mounting portion.
11. The apparatus according to claim 9 wherein the second operating portion has a shape of an axially-thick paddle.
12. The apparatus according to claim 9 wherein the second operating portion is structured to be disposed below the control interface portion of the another brake arm when the brake arm and the another brake arm are mounted to the bicycle frame member.
13. The apparatus according to claim 9 wherein the brake arm is structured to be mounted to the bicycle frame member at a location offset from where the another brake arm is mounted to the bicycle frame member.
14. The apparatus according to claim 11 wherein the paddle forms an axially-flattened and axially-broad panel.